Stourbridge micro bar gets go-ahead despite noise fears

Stourbridge micro bar gets go-ahead despite noise fears

A MICRO bar has been given the go-ahead in Stourbridge – despite strong objections over possible noise nuisance.

Members of the town’s development committee have approved an application to convert a former shop on the junction of Bridgnorth Road and King Street, Wollaston into a public house.

Planning officers had recommended refusal of the application on the grounds of noise and disturbance from the bar and that its rear courtyard would affect residents in nearby homes.

They also said a proposal to convert the first floor of the building into two flats would overlook an adjacent residential property.

Ed Pigott, on behalf for the developers, said the proposal was for a micro bar which would be on a much smaller scale than a normal public house and an assessment had shown there would be negligible noise from the bar or courtyard.

Tim Glews, explaining the officers’ objections, said: “The location is seven metres from homes and is just too close to introduce, what we think will be a noisy operation, into a relatively quiet area of Wollaston.

“It is impossible to predict how noisy people will be in the courtyard. Our experience in a situation like this is that we get complaints of noise from people living very close to the development.

“We handle hundreds of complaints every year involving similar circumstances.”

“I don’t think I would be comfortable for this to go ahead given the potential problems that could be caused to neighbouring properties.”

Cllr Ray Burston, supporting the application, said: “The type of people tending to use these micro bars aren’t 18-year-olds getting tanked up before going clubbing. They are a very different type of customer.”

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here